It seems that gun violence has become an epidemic, one that imposes a pervasive social and economic toll on Greater Charleston. Read the paper, watch the local news broadcasts ”” guns are a commodity in a mindset of violence that simply befuddles us. That broad daylight shootout at Citadel Mall last week is just the latest chapter of a continuing story that always ends without answering the looming questions ”” why the violence, why the guns?
No doubt the National Rifle Association zealots already are drafting their responses. Put your dukes down, guys, this is not an argument on Second Amendment rights. It’s about awareness of how guns fall in the hands of bad people, and the numbing misery gun violence brings when children and young adults sense an obligation to go armed, and then follow a “shoot-first” attitude.
If I remember correctly from previous efforts, gun “buy back” programs provide an easy method to dump a gun that’s been used in a crime. Now, maybe this one will require a complete ID on the seller, but years ago in DC the police discovered they’d bought a slew of weapons that could be traced to direct criminal activity, but not to the last owner. Dump a weapon, walk away with cash. It was a silly idea.
The real problem is the continuing collapse of the family. THAT’S the issue. Not the guns. It’s the lack of solid family life continually producing a culture of violence and dependency.
Brian,
You beat me to that point. The article says no questions asked and no names. What a monumental waste of money.
Under the mercy,
[url=http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/]John[/url]
An [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4pUphDitA]Orthodox [/url] Christian
Some demographics have a historically low level of firearms misuse and other demographics has a historically high level of firearms violence.
We need to take our ‘politically correct’ blinders off and address the problems of high violence by solving the causal ‘root problems’ of their violent and irresponsible/criminal violence and we need to LEAVE THE AREAS OF LOW VIOLENCE ALONE.
In addition, those law abiding citizens living in areas of high violence need a feasible personal deterrent to violent criminals and a means of protecting their lives and property. Law enforcement by itself is not the answer. Police basically respond to violence already committed in areas of high violence, they generally do not prevent the violence from occurring.
In #3. please correct
“…other demographics has a historically…”
to read
“…other demographics have a historically…”
Just another ploy by well meaning dopes to erode our second amendment rights. I’m sure Brinson isn’t going to give up his guns. Gun ownership is the only thing keeping us safe from tyrannical government and rampant lawlessness. Also, crime usually increases with economic downturns. Much of the gun violence is occurring in minority neighborhoods. More minorities need to be armed to help take back their neighborhoods for gang members and criminals. In wealthier areas, gun owners need to make sure there weapons are secured. A gun security drive and gun safety education is the CORRECT solution to the problem of stolen weapons, not gun drop offs. But, of course, the American people must learn to be cowardly and dependant instead of independent and resourceful.
Vincent
It should also be pointed out that those who have their guns LEGALLY tend to use them in a very responsible manner.
Those who have them ILLEGALLY don’t. And if they turn their guns in, they will just go out and get another illegal gun.
The program will not solve anything.
The price of a quality handgun legally purchased averages nearly one thousand dollars. Who in their right mind would turn in a handgun under these circumstances? They could sell the gun at a pawn shop. If I were to sell the gun at a pawn shop for ten times the turn in rate of $50.00 ($500.00) I would still have to wait 30 days for the police to determine if a crime had been committed with the gun before I could get my 500.00 dollars. Who is turning in guns for 50.00? They are being turned in by crooks who stole them in the first place. As a matter of fact the program may increase crime since people would go out and steal the guns to turn in.
There is a breakdown of the family because single mothers get paid by the government ( really all taxpayers ). There are very few fathers in the homes. Another Democrat plan that did not work. Like giving mortgages to those who can not afford them.
bl
This is such a misguided, wrong headed, counter productive effort. At best a waste of time and money. A worst, another attempt to disarm the law abiding by scaring them into thinking they are going to inadvertantly be party to a tragedy because they own a firearm.
Bad, bad, bad.
Could any of you writers to this blog get us a Table of various devices used as weapons versus the fatalities they caused? And do not forget automobile deaths whether accidental or deliberate. They are close to the top – no one is going to give up their cars!!
I think it is appropriate that law abiding citizens have access to the means of defending their homes and putting venison or turkey on the table at need.
I don’t see why ANYBODY needs a submachine gun or even a handgun. A couple of shotguns and rifles should be enough for anybody. A rear end full of bird shot will discourage an intruder, and neither a shotgun, nor a rifle are easy to disguise if you wish to hit up a bank.
I belong to the NRA and I will be teaching my kids to shoot. But I don’t see why I need a pistol.
Clueless,
Indeed, no one “needs” a subgun, but they are legal for civilian ownership in the US. In order to have one, a transfer of ownership requires fingerprinting, a complete ATF and FBI background check, and a sigh-off from either the local police chief or the state police. Some states require a yearly registration fee. Anytime a civilian owner moves the gun from it’s place of storage to a new location out of state, ATF must be contacted and it cannot be moved until the proper paperwork is approved. Further, most civilian owned machine guns in the US are very valuable collectibles like WWII Thompsons (12 to 28 grand), WWI Maxim beltfeds (equally pricey), etc., etc.
No owner in his/her right mind would pull out something that valuable to “defend their home.” Most keep them in safes, rarely seeing the light of day.
As an NRA member, you should know better. And since this forum is about buy-back programs, of the 170,000 legally owned NFA weapons in the ATF registery (dating back to 1934), only one has ever been used in a crime. And if memory serves me correctly, that was a domestic dispute gone very bad.
Dear clueless,
I have two problems with your position on handguns.
1. Handguns are also used for hunting in most states and are also used to put venison and turkey on the table. they are actually safer in high density hunting areas than using a rifle.
2. Many who want to ban handguns also want to ban all guns. Handguns will be the first step in the confiscation of all guns.
Don’t confuse your not needing a pistol with my right to own a pistol and it is a right.
Yay, Dcn Dale! well said.
Brian: [i]Further, most civilian owned machine guns in the US are very valuable collectibles like WWII Thompsons (12 to 28 grand), WWI Maxim beltfeds (equally pricey), etc., etc. No owner in his/her right mind would pull out something that valuable to “defend their home.†[/i]
And no one would sell them for $50.00 (or even $500.00) in a buy back program. These guns are worth thousands in the antiquie gun market. If they DO show up in the buy-back program, it would be a good bet they were stolen. And I bet the police overseeing the program don’t bother to check with that, either!
Jim Elliott
Florida